Production of doxorubicin-loaded PCL nanoparticles through a flow-focusing microfluidic device: encapsulation efficacy and drug release

The present study shows a facile route for producing doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles using a microfluidic device with a flow-focusing platform in a single step. Indeed, the evaluation of the performance of the flow-focusing microfluidic device for the preparation of DOX-loaded PCL (DOX/PCL) nanoparticles with a uniform size distribution and high encapsulation efficiency (EE) by applying the liquid non-solvent precipitation process is very important. Accordingly, the physicochemical characteristics of the DOX/PCL nanoparticles such as their mean size, polydispersity index (PDI), and EE were investigated by studying different parameters such as the flow rate ratio (FRR) and DOX concentration. Also, the release study was carried out at two pH of 5.5 and 7.4. The mean size of DOX/PCL nanoparticles achieved was in the range of 120-320 nm with a PDI <= 0.29 and EE between 48% and 87%. Moreover, the release profile of DOX/PCL nanoparticles was sustained for 10 days (<= 66%) at pH 7.4. This means that the production process can result in a high EE and low release of the DOX drug.

Automated summary

This study demonstrated a simple method for producing DOX-loaded PCL nanoparticles with uniform size distribution and high EE through a microfluidic device. The release analysis showed sustained release of the nanoparticles for 10 days at pH 7.4, indicating good sustained-release performance.